Caution, motorists: Roadwork ahead

Arrival of spring brings a host of construction

March 25, 2010

Face it. Spring means the arrival of warm weather and road construction. There is an abundance of local projects that could clog traffic in specific areas, and here are some major projects likely to affect almost everyone:

Eisenhower Expressway (Interstate Highway 290) Resurfacing from Thorndale Avenue in Itasca to the Circle Interchange. Work to begin Thursday.

Congress Parkway

Congress Parkway bridge from Wells Street to Canal Street will be reduced to two lanes inbound and one lane outbound from four lanes inbound and outbound. In addition, Congress Parkway from Michigan Avenue to Wells Street will be improved.

Wacker Drive

The north-south section of the two-level roadway will be completely rebuilt. The interchange at Congress Parkway will be redone to improve traffic safety and create additional green space.

Edens Spur (Interstate Highway 94)

Resurfacing the stretch of Illinois Tollway between the Edens Expressway (Interstate Highway 94) and the Tri-State Tollway (Interstate Highway 294) is expected to start July 1. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. The $20 million project also includes bridge rehabilitation and sound barrier construction.

Veterans Memorial Tollway (Interstate Highway 355)

A $50 million resurfacing and bridge rehabilitation project from the Reagan Memorial Tollway (Interstate Highway 88) to Army Trail Road. The tollway plans to keep three lanes of traffic open in each direction.

Tri-State Tollway (I-294)

Work on bridges and ramps at the Reagan (I-88) and Eisenhower (I-290) interchanges.